The Duke of Cambridge swam to the bottom of an open-air pool with a group of other divers at a local authority sports centre near Covent Garden in central London

Prince William showed off his "buff credentials" when he donned a wetsuit and went scuba diving near Covent Garden to mark becoming president of the activity's governing body.

Wearing a mask, air cylinder, regulator, buoyancy device and fins, the Duke of Cambridge swam to the bottom of an open-air pool with a group of other divers at a local authority sports centre near Covent Garden in central London.

William is a keen diver and has become the third generation of the monarchy to take the helm of the British Sub-Aqua Club (Bsac), following in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales , and grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.

At the Oasis Sports Centre the Duke was joined by Charles who had been Bsac president for 40 years until his son took over in May.

William who has dived in Anglesey, where he used to be stationed as an RAF search and rescue pilot, and in warmer locations overseas, joked he hoped Prince George would follow the family tradition.

He told senior Bsac members and their guests: "It's a great honour to be here with my father and accept the presidency of the British Sub-Aqua Club, continuing that from my grandfather as well."

Getty

Like father like son: Charles and William have a chat

He added: "I hope that one day my son George might follow in our footsteps .

"For the moment bath time is quite painful, but I imagine as he gets a little bit older, donning a mask and snorkel might calm him down."

Charles also gave a farewell speech after being made an honorary life member of the organisation.

He said: "I'm delighted that my eldest son is taking over from me."

The Prince, who has dived to the Tudor warship Mary Rose and in the Arctic, added: "I can only assume that his interest probably stems from the fact that I threw him into the swimming pool on many occasions - instead of putting him off, it actually enthused him, so I'm thrilled that he has decided to carry on the tradition started really by my father."

He added joking: "I know my eldest son will now demonstrate his buff credentials, by leaping bodily into this very welcoming - and I didn't realise existed - swimming pool."